Hogfather / Terry Pratchett

Hogfather

category: fantasy, humour, author:

Terry Pratchett

book 20 of Discworld
original copyright 1996,
read in April 2011 (and before, several times)

Agamedes' opinion: 8 out of 10

Interesting. A book about childhood and children's beliefs. With a vicious killer and more death than the average novel. Unexpected?

Not really. Pratchett is writing about children. And pointing out that blood and violence are a natural part of childhood. Though death itself is never seen, by the children.

Death with a capital D is, however, a key character in this book. In Discworld books Death is a regular character. He does his essential work and he does it well. So who better than Death to stand in for the jolly fat man who says Ho, Ho, Ho as he distributes presents to all the little children?

Yet another very twisted tale of the Discworld. Overdrawn characters, complex plot and pointed social satire. Enough familiar themes to satisfy fans, plus new themes to keep the story fresh. Laced with enormous amounts of humour and puns.

If you like Discworld books -- or enjoy reading humour -- this is a good book. What more can I say? Other than a short discourse on Death...

In the first ever Discworld book, Death provided an entertaining way to indicate that Rincewind the wizard (failed) had, once more, cheated death. Since then, Death has evolved.

In Hogfather Death has a family(?!) and a definite -- more sympathetic -- character. Like Spock in Star Trek, Death has a logical mind. This allows him to misinterpret the strange words and actions of humans (and other creatures). Death's misinterpretations allow Pratchett to point out some of humanity's follies and foibles.

In a fantasy world where death is a regular event, Death is also able to soften the blow -- for the reader. A nice character dies? Death will welcome the spirit and hint that the afterlife need not be all that bad.

When a nasty character dies, Death will also be there. For the nasty characters, the afterlife will be their comeuppance... but Death will still indicate that the spirit that learns its lessons will move on to a better afterlife.

Early in Hogfather, Death does his "Welcome to death" softening of the blow. That's for Ernie, an innocent victim of a cold-blooded Assassin. Later, as various thugs and killers die and are killed -- this is one of the more vicious Discworld books -- Death doesn't get a mention. There is no need...

Readers -- including children, if Pratchett's views are correct -- don't care about death. As long as it is deserved. When Ernie is killed, Death minimises the hurt. When a violent thug is killed -- we cheer! Or, at least, breath a sigh of relief.

In Discworld books Death is one of the great characters, likable and entertaining. He also plays a vital role -- for the reader. When death is inevitable, Death himself makes it more acceptable. No need for a miraculous rescue... death is acceptable without taking away from the humour.

In a Discworld book death is acceptable. Thanks largely to the presence of Death.

..o0o..

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